Monckton Chambers

Robert Palmer QC is widely recognised as a leader in the fields of public law, regulatory law, EU law and competition law.

Robert has particular expertise in commercial and regulatory judicial review proceedings in the Administrative Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal. He has appeared on multiple occasions in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and on more than 20 occasions in the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Robert’s wide experience includes work in the telecommunications, energy, financial services, pharmaceutical and aviation sectors. He has considerable experience in public law fields as diverse as areas of environmental law, immigration and asylum law, and human rights law.

Prior to taking silk, Robert was a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel.

In 2021, Robert was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge, sitting in the Queen’s Bench Division. Robert was also previously appointed as a Recorder in 2018.

Robert gained a first class honours degree at St John’s College, Oxford in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (1996), and was President of the Oxford Union (1995). He obtained a Diploma in Law with commendation at City University (1997). At Bar School, he came first in his year and was awarded the Scarman Scholarship, with a grade of ‘Outstanding’ (1998). He was also awarded the Macaskie Award (1998), a Prince of Wales Scholarship (1997) and a Karmel Award (1996) by Gray’s Inn. He was appointed to the Attorney General’s Junior Counsel to the Crown (A Panel) in 2011, and before that to the B Panel in 2007 and C Panel in 2002. Publications of note: Community Care: NHS Continuing Care (2007); Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (2006); School Admission Appeals and Disability Discrimination (2005); School Reorganisation (2004); Updates on Discrimination Law (2004, 2003); Mount Cook 2: An analysis [2004] Judicial Review 55; Halsbury’s Laws, Local Government (Contributor, 2003).

French (intermediate).

Robert is a member of the Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA) and the Bar European Group (BEG).

First class honours degree at St John’s College, Oxford in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (1996); Diploma in Law with commendation at City University (1997); first place in his year at Bar School, graded ‘Outstanding’ (1998).